Avery Pruitt
Salisbury,MD
Summary
Results-oriented team player with a continuous improvement mindset and a continuous willingness to learn and develop new skills aligning with business needs. Highly skilled in problem-solving, process improvement, and machinery operation. Strong strategic leadership skills with a focus in project management and long-term planning. Highly efficient and effective communicator, ensuring mission-critical information and concerns are escalated to relevant personnel in a time manner. Experience in Packaging, Warehouse, Central Services, Material Handling, Cocci, and Egg Incubation, providing a comprehensive understanding of various business procedures and how to collaborate effectively.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Technician
Merck
06.2022 - Current
- Led several Reliance tasks utilizing change control and investigator training to revise and implement MDs and SOPs, aligning efforts with site-wide A3 goals for vial defect reduction in DHPPi.
- Applied MPS problem-solving techniques to reduce SAV capping changeover times by 11.67%, resulting in enhanced operational runtime availability.
- Utilized MPS problem solving skills to resolve vial handling issues with the SAV capping loading table, achieving a 97.8% reduction in fallen vials (from 455 to just 10 per serial of 50,000 vials), enabling the packaging team to exceed production targets.
- Developed progress and status trackers for work orders, departmental training initiatives, and recurring operational challenges, improving senior leadership's visibility into real-time updates and performance metrics.
- Led and trained a team of 16 technicians on DHPPi visual inspection and hand vacuum checking under a tight deadline. Developed and managed an Excel-based tracking system to monitor training progress, identify gaps, and schedule future sessions, driving efficient team performance and defect identification accuracy ensuring alignment with site-wide A3 goals and objectives.
- Implemented and sustained Kanban and 5S methodologies within the Packaging department, minimizing material waste and preventing production downtime.
- Acted as an SME for daily operations of labelers and cappers, ensuring schedule adherence to meet delivery demand.
- Qualified USDA sampler with a strong understanding of regulatory guidelines and standards.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams (BTS, LYO, Engineering, Maintenance) to achieve DHPPi defect reduction goals and resolve challenges related to the Aesus Poultry Labeling line.
- Partnered with EHS as a key member of the Safety Improvement Team (SIT), fostering a strong safety culture and aligning initiatives to target-zero goals.
Team Leader
Chick-fil-A
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Led and supervised a team of 15-20 employees in daily operations, upholding high standards for guest experiences and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to monitor and analyze key business metrics, adjusting staffing levels to optimize demand and prevent over/understaffing.
- Identified and implemented strategies to optimize food cost management, resulting in significant cost savings while maintaining product quality.
- Developed and enforced operational guidelines, driving efficiency and productivity to consistently exceed company objectives.
Education
Business Administration -
University of Maryland Global Campus
College Park, MD06.2027
High School Diploma -
Greenfield-Central High School
Greenfield, IN2019
Skills
IReliance Skills
- Change Management
- Lead Investigator
- MD & SOP Revisions
MPS Skills
- Operational Availability (OA)
- On-Point Problem Solving (OPPS)
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- 5S Champion (Daily Walks & Monthly Radar)
Safety Background
- Safety Improvement Team Member (2yrs)
- Safe-by-Choice Team Member (2yrds)
- Millsboro Connection Safety Communications
- GEMBA Walks
Operational Skills
- Ariba (Supply Ordering)
- Process Confirmation Checks
- Aera Analysis
- Excel (Data Visualization)
- DigiTier Access
- Strong GMP Knowledge
- USDA Sampler
Soft Skills
- Effective Communicator
- Influential Leader
- High Adaptability
- Problem Solver
- Team Player
High-Impact Achievements
- Identified vials probed from lyophilization process while completing capping process, escalated immediately and ensuring the highest quality products were delivered to our customers
- Successfully trained the packaging team on the DHPPi visual inspection and vacuum checking process with a tight deadline Aligned training with the A3 initiative of decreasing defects in DHPPi visual inspection process, collaborating with BTS and LYO to ensure updated training was conducive with site-wide goals
- Implemented and maintained 5S and Kanban methodologies in the packing department, preventing daily operations from being halted due to a lack of materials or inability to locate materials successfully
- Consistently met Operational Availability targets as an SME during the SAV capping process, exceeding daily expected production metrics leading to departmental schedule flexibility and overall schedule adherence
- Created 30 PowerPoint slides shared through Millsboro Connection relating to current safety topics as a member of the Safety Improvement Team (SIT), aligning with EHS to work towards our shared goal of Target-Zero
- Collaborated with the Merck 3D printing team to create solutions to recurring challenges faced in the Packaging department (Vista tray partitions and SAV capper material catch-tray)
Timeline
Operations Technician
Merck
06.2022 - Current
Team Leader
Chick-fil-A
03.2021 - 06.2022
Business Administration -
University of Maryland Global Campus
High School Diploma -
Greenfield-Central High School
Similar Profiles
Reginald Henderson IIReginald Henderson II
E- Discovery Analyst at MerckE- Discovery Analyst at Merck
Leland Foster LauryLeland Foster Laury
Director of Global Communications at MerckDirector of Global Communications at Merck
Prasad YadavPrasad Yadav
Lead RPA Developer at MerckLead RPA Developer at Merck